What It Means When a Man Falls from the Sky

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Rafael Castillo I dunno why this is so funny to me. The level of obliviousness here.
sharon kemmer This story takes place in the future when mathematics and mathematicians occupy a magical/political place in the scheme of things. The man who falls f…moreThis story takes place in the future when mathematics and mathematicians occupy a magical/political place in the scheme of things. The man who falls from the sky is literally killed because he believed the stories about being able to fly and is figuratively about all the times we believe foolish things about the powers-that-be and what they convince us is true. So often the truth is counter to all common sense and experience ... and so often we seem to behave contrary to common sense and experience. Great short story on so many levels. I taught mathematics during my working years, so I especially enjoyed the symbolism of looking to mathematics (where there is an answer and if you just follow the steps you will get that answer too) for the answers in life. Herein there is an especially long and hard to follow algorithm which purports to allow us to overcome gravity (and the fact that some fool has fallen to his death, having believed this silliness, is a threat to the whole fantasy). I especially liked the narrator, someone who benefits from the nonsense, so is happy to believe in it and to support its silliness.(less)

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